One area of restocking for the Aaron Glenn Jets will be a position the new head coach is quite familiar with: the defensive backfield. The long-time cornerback may have to replace starting CB D.J. Reed, who hasn't ruled out a return but said he wants to test the free agency market. Brandin Echols and Isaiah Oliver are also potential UFAs. At safety, Chuck Clark returned from his 2023 season-ending injury for 12 starts but had two short stints on IR and can also enter free agency, as can Ashtyn Davis. Tony Adams, who has 26 starts, 4 INTs and 166 tackles the past two seasons, can be a restricted free agent. The DB marketplace has a number of possible options for the Jets, topped by safety Jevon Holland and corner Charvarius Ward as well as Reed. S Jevon Holland (Miami)
Holland, in 60 starts over 4 seasons with the Dolphins, totaled 301 tackles, 5 interceptions — including his crushing 99-yard TD return of a Tim Boyle first-half Hail Mary in the Jets' '23 home loss to the Fins — and 25 pass defenses. Born in British Columbia and earning the nickname "Snowman," he could be a rare Miamian who thrives in Northeastern Decembers. CB D.J. Reed (Jets)
Reed and the Jets have to decide whether he can return for his fourth season in Green & White and his fourth opposite Sauce Gardner. In his first three seasons. Reed had no INTs last year but led the Jets with 11 PDs. He will have other suitors as he enters his eighth NFL season, among them possibly the Falcons and their new coordinator, former Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich. CB Charvarius Ward (San Francisco)
The 6-1 Ward struggled some last season with 12 starts and no interceptions, attributable to his dealing with the death of his young daughter. The year before, he enjoyed his best season in his sixth as a pro with 5 picks and a league-high 23 PDs for San Francisco, crowned with his first Pro Bowl berth. The Niners' D-coordinator that season: current Jets DC Steve Wilks. CB Byron Murphy (Minnesota)
The 5-11 Murphy played four seasons with the Cardinals and the last two with the Vikings. He was selected for his first Pro Bowl last season after recording career highs of 17 starts, 6 interceptions, 14 pass defenses and 81 tackles in Minnesota's blitz-heavy scheme. The Vikes are trying to retain Murphy, whose contract won't void until the start of the new league year at 4 pm Eastern on March 12.
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Holland, in 60 starts over 4 seasons with the Dolphins, totaled 301 tackles, 5 interceptions — including his crushing 99-yard TD return of a Tim Boyle first-half Hail Mary in the Jets' '23 home loss to the Fins — and 25 pass defenses. Born in British Columbia and earning the nickname "Snowman," he could be a rare Miamian who thrives in Northeastern Decembers. CB D.J. Reed (Jets)
Reed and the Jets have to decide whether he can return for his fourth season in Green & White and his fourth opposite Sauce Gardner. In his first three seasons. Reed had no INTs last year but led the Jets with 11 PDs. He will have other suitors as he enters his eighth NFL season, among them possibly the Falcons and their new coordinator, former Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich. CB Charvarius Ward (San Francisco)
The 6-1 Ward struggled some last season with 12 starts and no interceptions, attributable to his dealing with the death of his young daughter. The year before, he enjoyed his best season in his sixth as a pro with 5 picks and a league-high 23 PDs for San Francisco, crowned with his first Pro Bowl berth. The Niners' D-coordinator that season: current Jets DC Steve Wilks. CB Byron Murphy (Minnesota)
The 5-11 Murphy played four seasons with the Cardinals and the last two with the Vikings. He was selected for his first Pro Bowl last season after recording career highs of 17 starts, 6 interceptions, 14 pass defenses and 81 tackles in Minnesota's blitz-heavy scheme. The Vikes are trying to retain Murphy, whose contract won't void until the start of the new league year at 4 pm Eastern on March 12.
